GameDock iOS Retro Console

The supposed beauty of iPhone, iPad, and iTouch is that they put "the power" in users' fingertips. But my fingertips are somewhat chubby and oafish, and basically the lone, crushing reason I don't straight-up own the rest of the retro-game-clinging world when Atari's Greatest Hitsing on my iPhone.

Enter the GameDock. An adapter with proper old-school NES-style controllers that beams iCade games from handheld devices to TVs, and the Xanax for my iOS touch control frustrations.

GameDock plugs into TVs like any other video game console, and the iPhone, iPad, or iTouch then sits in the dock's cradle as it would a sound system. Two controllers extending from the dock not only return the circa-1981 authenticity of playing Pac-Man and Frogger, they also make it easier--and way less awkward and personal-space-encroaching--for more than one player to get in on the 8-bit action. And for those who don't have, or don't want to use, a TV, GameDock also functions in microcosm on iOS small screens.

At this point, GameDock is designed for compatibility with all existing iCade games, plus dock-ready games that include two-player support and full 1080p HDTV output. Dock software includes a dashboard app for selecting and playing games with minimal movement from the couch. (Hmm, not having to get off my ass and swap out a League of Evil 2 cartridge for Super Crossfire...now that's a bit of authenticity I'm happy to sacrifice.)

GameDock runs as a Kickstarter project through August 16, 2012. Funding is pretty much guaranteed at this point, with less than $4,000 left to raise in meeting the console's $50,000 goal. Tech savants Chris Jorgensen and Andi Greisel masterminded the device, and are producing it through Jorgensen's company, Portland-based Cascadia Games LLC. GameDock delivery for backers is slated for December 2012.

November 2013 Update: The GameDock exceeded its crowdfunding goal and is now available for direct purchase through the company's website--follow the link below.